This image is part of a series that was created for an open textbook, Pulmonary Pathophysiology for Pre-Clinical Students. The textbook will be available Summer 2022.

Preferred citation:

Kindred Grey (2022). "Appearance of pleural fluid and diagnosis." CC BY 4.0.

Other contributions to this image:

(a) Test Tube by Victoria Codes from Noun Project

Alternative text:

Clear and straw-colored arrow to box labeled transudate with bullets ratio of pleural fluid to serum protein is less than or equal to 0.5, ratio of pleural fluid to serum LDH is less than or equal to 0.6 arrow from box to look for heart failure, renal disease, or cirrhosis. Turbid, more yellow, and may have foam arrow to box labeled exudate with bullets ratio of pleural fluid to serum protein is greater than 0.5, ratio of pleural fluid to serum LDH is greater than 0.6 arrow from box to further diagnostic procedures. Turbid and red (lysed RBCs) arrow to trauma, malignancy arrow to further diagnostic procedures. Purulent arrow to infection arrow to further diagnostic procedures.

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